Field Services

The foundation to all successful groundwater investigations is robust and reliable data. We have a team of staff that specialise in collecting data on groundwater systems. They are qualified, trained and equipped to support groundwater investigations and studies with the collection of field data including:

routine groundwater monitoring;

bore construction design and drilling supervision;

pumping tests;

baseline assessments;

bore assessments;

bore condition assessments;

landholder bore census; and

spring surveys.

Routine Groundwater Monitoring

Routine groundwater monitoring generally includes:

monitoring of groundwater levels and (piezometric) pressures;

installing and downloading automated pressure transducer dataloggers;

purging and measurement of field water quality parameters such as pH and electrical conductivity (EC); and

collection of representative water samples for laboratory analysis.

Collecting representative groundwater samples is in theory a relatively simple process; that is, stagnant water in the bore casing is removed and a sample of fresh groundwater collected for analysis. However, in practice we have found there are many things that can affect the process, including:

inadequate and / or incorrect purging and not removing stagnant, turbid or stratified saline / fresh water in the bore;

selecting the wrong analytical method and level of detection, or not testing for all required analytes;

not preserving samples appropriately and not meeting holding times;

poorly managed data;

cross contaminating samples; and

too many or too few sampling events of incorrect locations.

As consultants, we regularly review groundwater monitoring data and are acutely aware of the failings that occur during the process. We do not take this task lightly, and pride ourselves on our ability to deliver reliable groundwater data at a competitive cost.

Bore construction design and drilling supervision

AGE staff are highly experienced in the design of groundwater monitoring sites and supervising contractors installing monitoring bores, production bores and vibrating wire piezometers.

Our staff acquire, validate, manage and interpret geophysical and drilling data on site allowing for fast decisions relating to bore construction which results in limited stand by time. We ensure all water bores are constructed to the standards set out in the “Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia”.

Pumping tests

Pumping tests on bores allow information on the bore performance and the aquifer characteristics to be collected. AGE staff provide on-site technical supervision for a variety of tests including:

step drawdown and constant rate tests;

falling and rising head tests;

packer/drill stem testing; and

recovery tests.

Baseline condition assessments

A ‘baseline assessment’ is a term used by the coal seam gas industry in Queensland to describe an assessment of bore characteristics. The purpose of a baseline assessment is to establish benchmark data against which potential groundwater impacts associated with coal seam gas projects can be measured. Baseline assessments often obtain information such as:

groundwater level;

water quality and usage;

bore construction, lithology and aquifers; and

existing pumping infrastructure.

Conducting ‘baseline assessments’ is legislated in Queensland and it is a process we are intimately familiar with. We are well aware that reliable baseline data is critical for both landholders and resource companies, and therefore ensure the highest standards when conducting this work. We routinely conduct baseline assessments on behalf of our clients in the petroleum sector during both the exploration and production phases of projects.

We also conduct ‘bore census’ or ‘hydro census’ of agricultural properties that surround major projects. Whilst this process is currently not required by legislation, it is undertaken for many major projects including mining, quarrying and tunnels. The processes are essentially the same as the baseline assessment and require collection of information from each bore to characterise groundwater conditions prior to development. We provide a comprehensive census service for a given project area and assist our clients in ‘make good’ arrangements.

Bore assessments

Queensland legislation also requires the petroleum industry conduct ‘bore assessments’ to determine if petroleum or coal seam gas extraction activities have impaired the capacity of neighbouring water bores.

Numerical modelling is used to determine which bores have the potential to be impaired by future activities. These bores are then comprehensively tested to determine bore yield and water quality. This can include removing bore pumps and conducting pumping tests. Similar to ‘baseline assessments’, we are keenly aware that this information is critical to protect both the landholder and petroleum or coal seam gas producer and must be of the highest quality.

Groundwater dependent ecosystems

In Australia, State and Commonwealth legislation requires the sustainable management and protection of groundwater dependent ecosystems. A groundwater dependent ecosystem is either flora or fauna that depends on groundwater for survival.

Determining the presence of groundwater dependent ecosystems is a multidisciplinary challenge and we typically work with environmental scientists and ecologists to determine where groundwater dependent ecosystems may be present. We use a variety of tools for this task including satellite imagery, water table measurements and hydrochemistry http://buylevitra24.com to determine where ecosystems may depend on groundwater.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services & how we can help you.